FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 18, 2000

Silver Spring, MD – Dr. John C. Eagerton, IV, director of the Alabama Department of Transportation’s Aeronautics Bureau, was elected the 2000-2001 Chairman of the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) during the association’s 69^th Annual Convention and Trade Show in Long Beach, California. Eagerton has served as the director of the state’s aeronautics program for six years. Prior to his appointment, Eagerton was employed by the Alabama Department of Transportation as an environmental impact analyst on federally funded highway construction projects. He is a licensed pilot and has logged approximately 1,100 hours in a variety of single and multi-engine aircraft.

"It is an honor and privilege to be selected to represent the men and women who make up NASAO. I look forward to working with the NASAO Executive Committee and Board of Directors, as well as the membership as a whole, to advance our association’s strategic plan and to continue to build upon the successful alliances that have been forged by NASAO’s previous chairmen and our Washington staff."

Eagerton and the following state aviation directors were elected to serve on the NASAO Executive Committee for one year beginning October 1, 2000.

Jack W. Ferns, director of the New Hampshire Division of Aeronautics

Anthony J. Amato, director of the Delaware Office of Aeronautics

John D. "Mike" Rice, director of the New Mexico Aviation Division

In addition, eight state aviation directors were elected as NASAO Regional Directors.

Travis L. Vallin, director of the Colorado Division of Aeronautics representing Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming

Rudy Rudolph, A.A.E., administrator of the Ohio Office of Aviation representing Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin

Michael A. Armour, director of the Kansas Division of Aviation representing Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska

William A. Shaffer, acting director of the Pennsylvania Bureau of Aviation representing Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia

Richard Turner, administrator of the Vermont Aviation Division representing Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont

Gary Adams, director of the Arizona Division of Aeronautics representing Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada and Guam

Dr. William D. Miller, II, director of the Oklahoma Aeronautics and Space Commission representing Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas

William J. Ashbaker, P.E., manager of the Florida Aviation Office representing Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Puerto Rico

Kenneth F. Wiegand, director of the Virginia Department of Aviation, will now become NASAO’s Immediate Past Chairman, serving as NASAO Chairman from October 1, 1999 until September 30, 2000.